Veteran stars the Rolling Stones have been nominated for best live act - the first time they have been in the running for a Brit for 17 years.

And it is the first time they have been shortlisted for anything other than best video since the very first Brit Awards in 1977, when they competed for best group, losing out to the long defunct Beatles.

The Rolling Stones celebrated 50 years in the business with a series of concerts Credit: PA

Stones frontman Mick Jagger welcomed the nomination and said: "We all had such a blast, everyone was at the top of their game, and the hometown audiences at the O2 were just fantastic. It's great to be nominated."

Guitarist Keith Richards said: "On stage is where we belong. When I'm up there with Mick, Charlie and Ronnie, everything is rocking."

The big award of the night - best album - will be fought between Sande's Our Version Of Events, Alt-J's An Awesome Wave, the Mumford release Babel and Plan B's Ill Manors. Paloma Faith is also up for the title for her second album Fall To Grace.

Alt-J's album 'An Awesome Wave' won them the 2012 Mercury Music Prize Credit: PA

Sande and Faith go up against each other once more in the British female category, with Bat For Lashes (Natasha Khan), Jessie Ware and Winehouse completing the contenders.

Sande's final nomination is as one of the 15 tracks in the running for best single with Next To Me.

Mumford And Sons will line up against Alt-J again for best British group, with The xx and Muse.

Emeli Sande has been nominated for three Brit Awards Credit: PA

Pop act One Direction - who will be performing on the night when the awards take place on February 20 - complete the category.

The nominations were announced at a ceremony in London's Savoy Hotel this evening which saw the first 2012 Brit trophy - designed by artist Damien Hirst with his signature spot design - handed to critics' choice winner Tom Odell.